Chapter 18- Healing
Thankfully, the wound on Dawnlight's head wasn't an open one so Kade just had to wait for her to regain consciousness to diagnose whether or not she had a concussion. He turned his focus to her old wounds on her wrist and leg. The gash on her leg had opened again and the blood loss likely contributed to her current state. He reached for some bandages when his hand was stopped by Commissar Bellaire, "Don't waste your resources on the Xeno, trooper. The battle is over and we have no use for her anymore."
Kade began to protest so the Commissar continued, "Those supplies would be better off being used for their intended purpose- to assist the men and women of the Imperium. Keeping that alien alive no longer has any value to the Imperium."
Understanding that his actions would likely get him shot, Kade chose to follow his instincts and insist on doing what he thought was right, "Sorry sir, but Xeno or not, this Harlequin saved us all. It's only fair that we close the wounds she obtained by protecting us. The difference it would make within my conscience would justify the small amount of supplies I would have to use to help her."
The Commissar, as usual, was impossible to read, but made no verbal response so Kade grabbed his medical kit and went to work on Dawnlight's leg. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bellaire reach into his jacket while still keeping his expressionless gaze on Kade. Once again, Kade felt his hands start to tremble as he worked, certain that he was about to die.
"Commissar, please." To Kade's relief, Sergeant Limanowitz intervened by putting a cautious hand on Bellaire's shoulder, "Kade here has always been overly sympathetic to the injured, but that's what makes him the best medic we've ever had in this defense force. The effects of his execution would be profound in that many future patients of his would likely die in the hands of any other medic."
Flattered by his Sergeant's words, Kade breathed "thank you, sir" as he continued his work. However, the Commissar didn't seem convinced considering he stood like an iron statue, surveying Kade and holding his hand steadily in his jacket.
"If you shoot Kade, you'd have to shoot me too. I'm no medic, but this girl here saved my life. I watched her save the Sergeant's too so I would have no hesitation trying to keep her alive," Uriel was glaring determinedly at Bellaire. The other men of the platoon nodded in agreement while Bellaire continued to ponder over his decision. The staredown continued for a few more moments until Bellaire finally began to remove his hand from his jacket.
To his surprise, Kade saw Bellaire extract something from his jacket that wasn't a bolt pistol. Kade risked a puzzled glance towards the commissar in time to see him hand a simple mask to Limanowitz.
The Sergeant was equally confused as he took the mask and began to question "Wha-?"
"This is the Harlequin's mask," Commissar Bellaire explained. "She performed a great service to the Imperium today and you all have made an impressive case for her survival."
Kade watched as Limanowitz turned the mask over in his hands. Since Dawnlight wasn't wearing the mask, it had transformed back to a metallic depiction of a beautiful face. Half of the face was frozen in a triumphant grin while the other half wore an enraged expression. The angry side reminded Kade of Dawnlight's face when she charged into the daemons that were threatening the platoon. Afraid his face would reveal too much emotion, Kade quickly turned away from the Commissar and finished mending Dawnlight's leg.
Commissar Bellaire concluded his judgment by stating "I plan on recommending this platoon to be uplifted to the Astra Militarum. Between now and then, what you choose to do with that mask and that Harlequin will not be within my knowledge. I believe my time on this planet is drawing to a close and I will soon be leaving with the Inquisitor and his retinue to continue on to our next mission. May the wings of the Aquila guide you and the Emperor protect you all."
With that, the Commissar turned sharply on his heel and walked steadily out of the room, eyes still showing the same steely expression as always. Kade and the rest of the platoon listened to the cadenced tapping of Bellaire's boots fading as the man exited their lives on Achilles VII. In his thoughts about the Commissar, Kade had nearly forgotten that he still was resting his hands on Dawnlight's leg until she began shifting. He and the rest of the platoon gave her cheerful smiles as she slowly regained consciousness. When Dawnlight warmly returned their smiles, Kade knew he had made the right choice to keep her alive.